City Removes Bridge Remains, Faces Lawsuit

The remains of a concrete bridge over Trout Creek, leading to Valley Iron & Steel Co. property in South Allentown, have been removed by the city.

The span, which was about 60 years old, collapsed last year because of deterioration, said Ronald H. Caciolo, assistant city utility engineer.

He said an emergency permit was secured from the state Department of Environmental Resources to remove the bridge.

"We were concerned that with the spring rain, it might create more flooding at the 8th Street underpass," he explained.

Caciolo also noted that a general permit was received to remove the abutments and to make stream bank improvements.

Meanwhile, Jay Aronsky, president of Valley Iron & Steel, has filed an equity suit in Lehigh County Court, seeking to have the city rebuild the bridge. Company vehicles are using S. Church Street for ingress and egress.

Attorney Daniel K. McCarthy, who is representing the city in the legal action, said the city denies it has the obligation to rebuild the bridge, because it is not on city property.